the standard of proof in criminal cases in the UK, higher than the civil standard of the balance of probabilities. Contrasted with the balance of probabilities, it is not a matter of weighing up both sides and deciding who has won. Thus, if matters are evenly balanced, the accused must be acquitted. Juries when charged are often reminded that they are allowed to have doubts. The doubt must be a real doubt before they acquit – it must not be a fanciful doubt.

The standard of proof requiring the party with the burden of proof to demonstrate that an allegation or argument is true beyond all reasonable doubt. In the US, this standard is typically used to prove criminal liability.

Practical Law Dictionary. Glossary of UK, US and international legal terms.
www.practicallaw.com.
2010.

beyond a reasonable doubt

n. The standard for conviction in a criminal trial; evidence sufficient to convince a reasonable person beyond doubt of the guilt of the defendant. The requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt is not so stringent as to preclude the possibility of error, as is, "beyond the shadow of a doubt," nor as loose as, "the preponderance of the evidence," as is the standard in a civil trial.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary.
Susan Ellis Wild.
2000.

beyond a reasonable doubt

The standard that must be met by the prosecution's evidence in a criminal prosecution: that no other logical explanation can be derived from the facts except that the defendant committed the crime, thereby overcoming the presumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law.
2005.

beyond a reasonable doubt

I

The standard that must be met by the prosecution's evidence in a criminal prosecution: that no other logical explanation can be derived from the facts except that the defendant committed the crime, thereby overcoming the presumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

IIThe standard in a criminal case requiring that the jury be satisfied to a moral certainty that every element of a crime has been proven by the prosecution. This standard of proof does not require that the state establish absolute certainty by eliminating all doubt, but it does require that the evidence be so conclusive that all reasonable doubts are removed from the mind of the ordinary person.

Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.

beyond a reasonable doubt

adj.

part of jury instructions in all criminal trials, in which the jurors are told that they can only find the defendant guilty if they are convinced "beyond a reason- able doubt" of his or her guilt. Sometimes referred to as "to a moral certainty," the phrase is fraught with uncertainty as to meaning, but try: "you better be damned sure." By comparison it is meant to be a tougher standard than "preponderance of the evidence," used as a test to give judgment to a plaintiff in a civil (non-criminal) case.

Look at other dictionaries:

beyond (a) reasonable doubt — legal phrase to a degree that the law considers to be satisfactory for making a decision The prosecution cannot prove beyond all reasonable doubt that she intended to kill him. Thesaurus: miscellaneous legal termshyponym Main entry … Useful english dictionary

beyond a reasonable doubt — In evidence means fully satisfied, entirely convinced, satisfied to a moral certainty; and phrase is the equivalent of the words clear, precise and indubitable. In criminal case, the accused s guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt,… … Black's law dictionary

beyond a reasonable doubt — In evidence means fully satisfied, entirely convinced, satisfied to a moral certainty; and phrase is the equivalent of the words clear, precise and indubitable. In criminal case, the accused s guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt,… … Black's law dictionary

beyond any reasonable doubt — This is a legal expression which means that something is certain. The court established, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the man was innocent … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

beyond a reasonable doubt — The degree of proof required of the state in a criminal prosecution; a fair doubt based upon reason and common sense, growing out of the evidence in the case; not an imaginary, captious, or possible doubt. 20 Am J1st Ev § 1257 … Ballentine's law dictionary

beyond a reasonable doubt — noun A legal standard for deciding the outcome of a criminal charge, requiring evidence that is sufficient to eliminate any doubts that a reasonable person might entertain about whether a claim is more likely to be true than not … Wiktionary

proof beyond any reasonable doubt — nearly certain conviction of the veracity of a claim; level of proof that a prosecutor must achieve to convict a criminal in a trial … English contemporary dictionary